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Ride the prospect elevator with our preseason top 10

One of the great things about playing fantasy sports is getting in on the ground floor on a player and watching his value rise. Climbing aboard the prospect elevator, we take a second look at our 2013 top 10.

One of the great things about playing fantasy sports is getting in on the ground floor on a player and watching his value elevate as he gains experience.

Drafting a potential star before he makes his major league debut or picking up a little-known player before he blossoms into a fantasy stud can be something that makes a season memorable all by itself.

That's why we obsess over the players in the minor leagues almost as much as we do about the players in the majors.

This spring, I put together a list of the top prospects in 2013 from a fantasy perspective. Even now, prospects continue to be one of the main topics in my weekly online chats. The questions are a little different, but readers still want to know when the ones in the minors will be promoted ... and why the ones who've already made it to the majors aren't living up to expectations.

Now with the "Super 2" deadline finally behind us, the only reasons top prospects need to stay in the minors are because they're not ready for prime time or there's no avenue for regular playing time.

So starting the season on the ground floor, let's climb aboard the prospect elevator, look at where each member of my preseason top 10 is and what floor he's likely to reach this season. (Based on a 1-to-10 floor scale.)

1. OF Wil Myers, Tampa Bay Rays: Quite a bit of energy has been expended analyzing why Myers hasn't taken over as the starting right fielder long before now despite putting up a .286 (batting average)/.356 (on-base percentage)/.520 (slugging percentage) slash line in 64 games with Class AAA Durham (N.C.). Managing his service time seems to be the answer, especially after he hit a grand slam off New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia on Saturday for his first major league home run. Myers will be an everyday player going forward — possibly an above-average one — and there's still plenty of time for him to be a factor in the American League rookie of the year race.

Current elevator status: Lobby.Button pushed: Sixth floor.

2. SS Jurickson Profar, Texas Rangers: Have we been spoiled so much by the Mike Trout-Bryce Harper-Manny Machado trio that all 20-year-old phenoms have to be dominant the moment they arrive? Through Saturday, Profar, 20, had a .252/.300/.387 line in his first 111 career at-bats. In Trout's first exposure to the majors, he went .220/.281/.390 in 123 at-bats. The issue with Profar is that he isn't going to unseat Elvis Andrus at shortstop or Ian Kinsler at second base right now, so the Rangers will have him serve in a utility role, fill in at DH and possibly play a little left field. That's not the optimal way to accelerate his rise, but we'll get a very nice view of what's in store.

Current status: Second floor.Button pushed: Fourth-floor terrace.

3. OF Oscar Taveras, St. Louis Cardinals: A high ankle sprain cost him a month of action with Class AAA Memphis, but Taveras returned to the lineup June 8 and has continued building his case for a promotion. The Cardinals, however, aren't in any hurry to make a move. They have the best record in the majors, and they have three healthy starting outfielders. An injury to any one of them could change things considerably, but Taveras isn't going to arrive in St. Louis until there's regular playing time available.

Current status: Basement.Button pushed: Open door.

4. SP Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles: An elbow injury derailed his 2013 season before it even started. He's long-tossing now and could be back on a mound fairly soon. Bundy doesn't turn 21 until November, so there's no reason to push him too quickly. The best-case scenario would be for him to ease back into action in the minors and possibly join the Orioles as a reliever for the stretch drive. His future is bright, but we won't see much evidence of it this season.

Current status: "Once your room is ready, the elevators are down the hall on the right."

5. SP Shelby Miller, Cardinals: Winning a spot in the starting rotation out of spring training, Miller got the jump on the rest of his prospect peers. He's done nothing to disappoint either, posting an 8-5 record, a 2.35 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Even more impressive, he has struck out 101 batters and walked only 20 in 92 innings. Miller, 22, has been a top-15 fantasy starter this season, and with a track record of consistent success, he's riding the express to heavenly heights.

Current status: Third floor.Button pushed: Seventh floor.

6. C Travis d'Arnaud, New York Mets: Injuries have cost him significant time in each of the last two seasons. He hasn't recovered from a broken foot in April but could resume baseball activities soon and return to ClassAAA Las Vegas within a month. That gives him time to help his fantasy teams. Starting catcher John Buck has cooled considerably since his scorching start (10 homers before May 4, two since), so a healthy d'Arnaud should be prepared to take on heavy lifting over the second half of the season.

Current status: Loading dock.Button pushed: Second floor.

7. OF Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds: His bat hasn't quite caught up with the rest of his game in the minors, but Hamilton can be a difference-maker with his speed when he finally reaches the majors. After stealing a record 155 bases last season, he has 46 this year. However, the most important number for Hamilton is his on-base percentage. Above .400 the last two seasons at high-Class A and Class AA ball, it's just under .300 at Class AAA. There's an opportunity available in the Reds outfield for him to be much more than just a pinch-runner, but he has to find a way to get on base consistently first.

Current status: Basement.Button pushed: Fourth floor

8. 3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies: Firmly entrenched as an everyday player, Arenado has demonstrated an excellent contact rate (87%) in his first exposure to major league pitching. Even though he hit three home runs in his first seven games, power isn't his calling card. Still, playing home games in Colorado does wonders for his offensive potential. He's 22, so this looks like the beginning of a long, steady climb.

Current status: Second floor.Button pushed: Sixth floor.

9. C Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners: Taken third overall in the 2012 draft, Zunino completed his rapid rise to the majors in just over a year. He slugged 11 homers in 47 games with Class AAA Tacoma (Wash.) but hit .238. So it should be no surprise that he's off to a very slow start offensively in the majors (.167, one homer in 24 at-bats). He's worth a fantasy roster spot as a second catcher or bench player for now because he'll be playing fairly regularly, but there's still plenty of on-the-job training in his future.

Current status: Lobby.Button pushed: Third floor.

10. SP Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates: The second overall pick in the 2010 draft, Taillon just nudged out teammate Gerrit Cole for the final spot in the preseason top 10. While Cole made the successful jump to the majors two weeks ago, Taillon has a 3-5 record and 2.93 ERA with Class AA Altoona (Pa.). A full year younger than Cole, he'll continue to develop in the minors and likely follow a similar road map to the majors over the next year.

Current status: Service entrance.Button pushed: Second floor (Cole's room).

Meanwhile, several top prospects have taken the back stairs to reach unexpected levels. Yasiel Puig, Evan Gattis, Anthony Rendon, Jedd Gyorko (No. 16 in preseason), Jose Fernandez (No. 17), Julio Teheran (No. 22) and Zack Wheeler (No. 28) could all take up residence on the upper floors by the time the season ends. Yes, the waiting list is long and there are only a few rooms are available. Hopefully you've chosen your prospects wisely and are enjoying the ride.

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Zack Wheeler - The New York Mets top prospect pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits, striking out seven and walking five, and won his major league debut on June 18 in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves.
Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Wil Myers - The Tampa Bay Rays' top prospect was aggressive at the plate during his first major league debut, but went hitless in four at-bats. In the second game of the doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox, Myers singled in his first at-bat for his first major league hit.
Jared Wickerham, Getty Images

Gerrit Cole - The 2011 overall No. 1 draft pick took a shutout into the seventh inning of his major league debut and hit a two-run single in his first at-bat on June 11, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 victory in front of a festive crowd.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

Yasiel Puig – The 22-year old outfielder has been nothing short of dominant in his first 8 games in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. Puig hit his fourth home run in his fifth game, becoming only the second player to hit four home runs in his first five games. Additionally, his 10 RBI’s tied the Major League record for most RBI’s in the first five games of a career. Since his debut June 3, Puig has 16 hits, 4 HR – one of which is a grand slam – 10 RBI’s, and is currently batting .500 and slugging .938.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

Michael Wacha – The 21-year old pitcher was rocky in his first two starts for the St. Louis Cardinals. Since his debut on May 30, Wacha has given up 12 hits, 7 ER, while sporting a 5.40 ERA. Though Wacha hasn’t gotten his first win yet, the rookie has 10 strikeouts and only 1 walk in his first two starts.
Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Gausman – The 22-year old starting pitcher has started four games since his debut May 23. Gausman has been shaken up in his first few starts, giving up 28 hits, 19 ER, and 5 HR with an 8.84 ERA. Though Gausman currently has an 0-3 record, he has 15 strikeouts in his first 4 starts.
Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Nolan Arenado – The 22-year old third baseman made his debut April 28 and has been key to the Colorado Rockies lineup. In his first 40 games, Arenado has 39 hits, 5 HR, and 15 RBI.
Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Rondon – The 22-year old relief pitcher hasn’t played a crucial role in the Detroit Tigers’ success. Since his debut on April 25, Rondon has pitched 2.1 innings, and given up 5 hits, 3 ER, and 2 walks against the 14 batters he’s faced.
Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Pettibone – The 22-year old starting pitcher has gotten plenty of attention since his debut on April 22. Pettibone has a 3-2 record – ahead of struggling starters Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay – and has an ERA of 3.70.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Rendon – The 22-year old infielder has been playing solid since his debut April 21. The Washington Nationals rookie is batting .293 with 12 hits, 4 RBI and an OPS of .773 in his first 12 games.
Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Nick Tepesch – The 24-year old starting pitcher has made 11 starts since his April 9 debut for the Texas Rangers. The rookie currently sports a 3-5 record with a 3.92 ERA. Tepesch also has the fourth most strikeouts on the Rangers with 45.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports

Jose Fernandez – With the Miami Marlins struggling the perform this season, rookies like Fernandez have been given lots of attention. Since his debut on April 7, Fernandez has filled the role as Miami’s third starter in the rotation.
Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Jackie Bradley, Jr. – The 22-year old outfielder has been shaky since his debut on Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox. Since his debut this season, Bradley has only played in 19 games and logged 8 hits, 6 RBI and a .154 batting average.
Matt Slocum, AP